Thursday, 22 April 2010

Round & Round the... Hawthorn

A Redstart - as it should look [taken last year]

One of today's fighters, during a brief rest Yellowhammer Green-Veined White

Orange-Tip

There was no question that today’s star bird was a Redstart- again seen by both groups. One male Redstart is special enough in East Yorkshire, but today we had 2. They were in conflict over a territory, as they chased each other round & round the same area, and on one occasion 4 times round the same Hawthorn tree one circuit after another. These birds were obviously tiring themselves out & were concentrating so hard on each other that they failed to be aware of a Sparrowhawk, which made an attempt to interrupt the fight. However, the Sparrowhawk suddenly became aware of the audience & veered away at the last minute. We were pleased that our presence probably meant this most attractive of our woodland birds survived to fight each other for another day! During part of their chase they were joined for several minutes by a paler bird. Without a clear view at first it was assumed to be a female Redstart, but eventually it was discovered to be a Willow Warbler, which just wanted to join in the fun, crazy! I also had a glimpse of one of our host’s Little Owls, but unfortunately, no other class member managed to spot it! Also seen today: Red-legged Partridge (too many to count!), 2 Treecreepers, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit & Skylark. The Redstarts were "lifers" for many of those present.

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Spring Course Details

Bookings for the 10-week Spring term has started. At the time of writing there are a couple of vacancies on Thursday afternoons, followed by Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons. I'm afraid I cannot take any more bookings on the Tuesday morning or Friday morning sessions. If you are interested in another session, please ask. For at least 2 hours a week encounter the natural world as a completely new sensual experience. You'll be amazed what you'll find just by listening, and not only by looking! In the Spring we'll be paying special attention to birdsong. If you want help sorting out your Sedge Warblers from your Reed Warblers, and pointing out the differences between singing Blackcaps and Garden Warblers then this is the place to be. We are going to locations where you will hopefully see, and not just hear Cuckoos. We are also planning to visit sites with Turtle Doves, Redstarts and other special summer visitors. So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for less than £10 a week, then this is the course for you! We visit a different local hotspot each week and identify all the birds and as much other wildlife as we can. This also includes mammals, and fungi with butterflies, and dragonflies. The course runs twice daily Tuesday to Friday. If you are interested in more details of the course, or wish to be placed on a waiting list, please leave a comment next to one of my posts or email me on mflowers81@live.co.uk

Tolkien Tours of East Yorkshire

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Tolkien's Ghostly Presence

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Tolkien in East Yorkshire 1

Introduction & Hornsea

Tolkien in East Yorkshire 2

Roos (& Halsham)

Tolkien in East Yorkshire 3

Thirtle Bridge & Withernsea

Tolkien in East Yorkshire 4

Hospitals: Brooklands & Kilnsea

Tolkien in East Yorkshire 5

Spurn Point & Easington

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